Inaugural Punk Festival Hits Colfax This Weekend

It’s no secret to anyone traveling around Denver that the Bus Rapid Transit project has put a significant strain on the numerous small businesses, restaurants, and music venues lining the historic and traditionally lively Colfax Avenue corridor. As the area struggles to stay vibrant and financially solvent, two local punk musicians who grew up in the scene want to give something back. Tom Dodd and Ryan Heller, of Denver band Tuff Bluff, have organized the inaugural Colfax Carousel Punk Fest, which will debut on Saturday, November 15.

“There are so many cool bands in Denver,” Dodd says, “and we just thought it’d be cool to have a show to see all these bands at one time.”

Dodd and Heller have felt like some local music fests don’t always showcase Denver talent as well as they’d like. So, with the news that the Underground Music Showcase was in its final year, they had a huddle. “Ryan said, ‘Let’s just do it. We can get all these Denver bands, put them on one bill, showcase local music, and help out these venues,'” Dodd says. “So, it’s just a win-win.”

“Colfax has such a rich history,” Heller adds, “but the area is hurting, and we just want to help out.”

Organizing the festival unfolded organically, and Heller says he drew inspiration from the well-known FEST in Gainesville, Florida. “We focused on staggering time slots,” he explains, “with every band playing a tight half-hour set. By limiting ourselves to just three venues with one wristband for admission, we know you can’t see everything, but the venues are close enough to bounce from bar to bar and see a great night of music.”

Denon Moore, business director for the Colfax Avenue Business Improvement District, says the pair’s plans will “lift the energy level back up on Colfax.” They have enlisted the talents of eighteen local bands that will bring a raucous night of punk-rock celebration, playing at three venues within a couple blocks of each other: the legendary Lion’s Lair, mainstay the Squire Lounge and Tight End Bar. “We have a great history and relationship with Lion’s Lair and have played Squire many times,” Dodd says. “So when we added Tight End, it came together pretty seamlessly.”

That doesn’t happen without a spirit of collaboration, and both Denver’s punk scene and Colfax’s business owners are tight-knit communities who were quick to respond. “Ryan was out on Colfax enjoying live music,” Dodd says, “and he saw a flyer for the Colfax Avenue Business District. He reached out, and they were happy to help.” Together, they built a lineup with bands behind the mission to showcase the scene and help out the venues. An important quality of punk scenes is creating an inclusive feeling with diverse bands and different sounds ranging from hardcore to melodic to emo and more.

In hopes of building something that will grow, Dodd and Heller were intentional with the bands and venues. “Lion’s Lair is important to us and the scene,” Heller notes. “It’s a great proving ground that hosts nationally touring bands but also features local music.” And in choosing the venues, the musicians wanted to make the evening convenient for the audience. “All these places are within two blocks,” he says. “So, in going place to place, maybe you’ll see someone you’ve never heard before.”

Dodd and Heller worked hard to build a broad, appealing lineup, including bands like Bad Year, Benjamin Buttice, Black Dots, Cleaner and State Drugs. “I know so many people attending big shows with traveling bands,” Dodd notes, “and I always say, ‘Hey, you should check out this local band with a similar sound, and they play here all the time.'”

Colorado punk veteran Jon Snodgrass is also on the bill. After discussing the idea when Tuff Bluff played Surfside 7 in Fort Collins, he jumped at the chance to play. “I haven’t had an opportunity to play the Lion’s Lair in a long, long time,” Snodgrass says, “and I’m super stoked. I love that place, and all these rooms are crucial spots. David Jarnstrom and Miles Stevenson will join me to play a ROCK show in an IRL ROCK club.”

Other bands on the ticket include Brass Tags, Friends of Cesar Romero, GLUEMAN and JSR. With the vast lineup across three venues, Dodd says, “My hope with an all Denver-based set is that crowds will think, ‘Oh, this band is awesome. I’m going to see them again.’ And the same goes for the venues.'” When bands become loyal to a venue and vice-versa, the fans follow, and Dodd believes fest goers will say, “Wow, this place is great. I’m going to come back here.”

All the bands feel the same way. “We’ve lived, written, and recorded music five blocks off Colfax for over twenty years,” says Tammy Ealom of the Tammy Shine, who enthusiastically joined the fest. “It breaks my heart to see our local mom and pops suffering from loss of business due to poor city planning. I’m honored to play at the Colfax Carousal Fest to bring attention and business back to this beautiful landmark street in Denver, historic Colfax Avenue.”

Another participating band, Lawsuit Models, echoes that sentiment. Guitarist and vocalist Ryan Turch says, “Colfax is near and dear to our hearts. The Carousal is giving us – and so many other bands – an opportunity to give back to the local spots that gave us a chance. This new festival is a reminder to Denver that Colfax is still alive, still loud, and still open for business. We’re truly honored to be part of it.”

The city’s music scene has a festival void that begs to be filled, and the Colfax Carousal Punk Fest could be just what the Denver live music landscape needs. The one-night only festival line-up rounds out with bands No Good Reason, RUGBURN, The Ettiquettes, Tiny Humans, Trauma Czars and, of course, Tuff Bluff. “I’m happiest when I’m doing cool shit like this,” Heller concludes. “I’m just happy to organize it.”

“It’s an act of pure punk generosity,” Moore adds, “a way to give back to the street and the scene that shaped them. What makes this story especially powerful is the motive behind it. This is a not-for-profit festival where every dollar from ticket sales goes to support the venues and the bands.”

Colfax Carousal Punk Fest, 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. , Saturday, November 15; Lion’s Lair, 2022 East Colfax Avenue; the Squire, 1800 East Colfax Avenue; Tight End, 1501 East Colfax Avenue. Tickets: $15 – $30.